The doctors are in

Several new physicians have relocated to Aberdeen during past few months

Several new physicians have relocated to Aberdeen during past few months

September 30, 2007|By Emily Arthur-Richardt, American News Writer

Dr. Lyle Biegler and his family took a few factors into account when it came time to choose a place to practice medicine. While location played a factor, so did a trend that's going on in the medical community. “We wanted to be in a medium-sized community, but I also really wanted to go someplace where there was a shortage,” said Biegler, a Timber Lake native now practicing at Aberdeen Family Physicians. “I wanted to be able to help out.” That's good news for Aberdeen and the surrounding area, but also the nation. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be 212,000 physician openings by 2014 due to growth and net replacement of retiring physicians, officials in Aberdeen hope the health care options here go down a different path. “Nationally, it's going to be difficult to continue to recruit physicians,” said Paul DeVoe, director of United Clinic in Aberdeen. “So when we invest in our community and our medical practice, it might put us a few steps above the rest and give us an advantage.” So far, so good. United Clinic in Aberdeen has a new family practice doctor beginning in November, and through a partnership with Sanford Clinic, continues to bring in specialists to the clinic on a weekly basis. Two new family practice physicians, including Biegler, have started at Aberdeen Family Physicians in Aberdeen. A dermatologist, a podiatrist and an anesthesiologist have recently moved to Aberdeen and started work as well. And Ron Jacobson, president and chief executive officer of Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen, said more doctors are on the way. A new cardiologist will begin on Jan. 1 and will allow St. Luke's to bring new services to the area, he said. The areas of physical and medicine rehabilitation and general surgery will get new employees next summer. Two people have already been recruited, Jacobson said. Two pediatricians, who happen to be married, are in town right now and looking for a place to live. They'll start in October, Jacobson said. And the hospital is also working on recruiting in the areas of internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonology, neurology and urology, he said. “There's a doctor shortage throughout the whole nation,” Jacobson said. “Every community is looking for physicians. We're in competition with every town out there.” Reasons for shortage: The shortage of doctors nationally is due to a number of reasons, DeVoe said. And while the numbers are down across the board, primary care continues to be hit the hardest, he said. “I don't think there's as many people going into the medical field, and for the ones that are, not as many are picking primary care,” DeVoe said. “What happens is that people that used to go into those areas are now going into a sub speciality. That leaves fewer people in primary care, which is where communities like Aberdeen need them.” Recruiting: And the recruiting process can be long and involved. Jacobson said it took nearly two years to find two new doctors for Aberdeen Family Physicians, and that was with a situation where there were candidates. Often, there's not any to start with, and officials have to go out and find some. Jacobson expects Aberdeen Family Physicians will be looking to hire one more doctor sometime in the next few years. “We have some of the brightest and best that live and work here,” Jacobson said. “People think you have to go elsewhere to find top-notch care, but it's right here in our backyard. ... Our patients want to be close to home. We've taken their interests into account, and we're keeping care as local as possible.” Doctors' outlook: That's one thing that drew Dr. Michael Knapp to Aberdeen. For Knapp, one of the new doctors at Aberdeen Family Physicians, picking a place to live and work was more about what the town could offer him and his family. The Sioux Falls native was looking for a family-oriented place where he and his wife could raise their kids and feel like part of the community. Aberdeen fit the bill, and the health care system here helped. “With a town this size, I was amazed at the health care services that can be accessed,” Knapp said. “There's a number of specialists in a town this size. It was a draw for me as well.” That's good news for people like DeVoe and Jacobson, who hope doctors continue picking Aberdeen. “Throughout the Aberdeen community, there's been really good improvements that are attracting people here,” DeVoe said. “I think our community has a lot to offer - more to offer now than it ever has.” Biegler agreed. “Aberdeen is a lot more attractive place for outsiders than it was 10 years ago,” he said. “... In the next 10 to 20 years, I think Aberdeen-size towns will become more attractive. I think we're going to see them grow quite a bit.” But until that happens, things like a new fitness center, a water park, the colleges and good school systems are good recruiting tools, DeVoe said. “That sort of thing is sort of an attracting thing for people in general,” he said. “It's really fun to bring a doctor in to the interview, and you can go and show them Wylie Park and the new swimming pool. It's really a great thing.” Jacobson agreed. “Those things certainly have made a difference,” he said. “When you bring a physician in here to Aberdeen, you can see the progress that's been made. ... We're talking about growing, and we are growing.”